Never got on with retinol? Bakuchiol is its gentler (just as powerful) sister. And, it's a game-changer for smooth skin

Retinol is the long-reigning hero of the skincare world. Hailed for its ability to clear up acne, regenerate skin cells, tackle pigmentation, stimulate collagen production and plump out wrinkles for a more youthful complexion, it's a bona fide skin saviour with a bevy of benefits under its hat. So much so, that the derms have named it the gold standard in skin smoothing. In fact, the ingredient (alongside vitamin C and SPF) makes up one third of the holy trinity of skincare for healthy, well-cared for skin.

If it sounds too good to be true, that's because it almost is. Despite its undisputed reputation for face-perking, retinol's potency is a problem for many, and the irritation (redness and sensitivity) that's often associated with introducing retinol into your skincare routine is enough to put a lot of people off. Add to this the fact that it can be a complicated process of building up your skin's tolerance slowly by incrementally increasing the dosage and many write it off as a faff too far.

But now there's a new kid on the skincare block, claiming similar results, without the sensitivity (!!!) and from a natural source. Which, as the demand for plant-based and botanical ingredients grows, could see retinol knocked off the top perch.

It's called 'bakuchiol' (pronounced ba-coochy-ol) and if you haven't heard of it already, it's about to take the skincare world by storm.

What is bakuchiol?

Bakuchiol is a plant-derived, natural alternative to vitamin A. "It is a compound found in the seeds of the Indian plant Psoralea corylifolia", says Dermatologist, Dr. Anjali Mahto. "It has been found to have anti-inflamatory, antioxidant and potentially even anti-acne activity."

Bakuchiol vs retinol

Clinical studies have proven that bakuchiol is equally as effective, if not better, than retinol at regulating collagen cell turnover.

A study by Sytheon, found that 0.5 per cent of bakuchiol used over 6 weeks improved wrinkle depth, fine lines, pigmentation, elasticity and firmness of the skin, without causing irritation.

"Bakuchiol seems to work in a similar manner to retinol but appears to have the added advantage of causing less irritation such as peeling, dryness or sensitivity", says Dr. Anjali.

The same study also compared bakuchiol to 2% salicylic acid, and bakuchiol was also shown to be more effective at preventing blemishes.

How to use bakuchiol

Most bakuchiol products are designed to be used at night and post-cleansing.

With oils, serums, boosters and creams on the market, it's a product that can be easily incorporated into a pre-existing routine.

Our edit of the best bakuchiol skincare products...